Psychometric tests provoke anxiety

By Brigid DelaneyOctober 1 2002

Psychometric tests are a) a valuable indicator of the applicant's ability to perform tasks and fit into the workplace; b) intrusive and evil.

If you answered b) then your personality type is likely to be "introverted, distrustful of society and [have] an antipathy towards any type of testing or intrusion into [your] life", said Kevin Chandler of the recruitment firm Chandler Macleod.

Like them or loathe them, psychometric tests - such as the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire, Ravens Progressive Matrices and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator - are becoming a popular screening mechanism.

"Companies are realising more and more the cost of labour turnover," Mr Chandler said. "There is a strong push for people who fit. It costs the company financially and in productivity if the person doesn't last."

As computerised testing becomes more widespread, bigger companies are running their screening in-house. But many still outsource testing to organisational psychologists, such as Harbour Consulting Australia.

Its managing director, Cameron Francis, said psychometric tests could be misinterpreted if they were not valid or reliable and the tester did not understand them or the job competencies well.

"Any user of psych tests has to understand both the benefits and the limitations," he said.

"Recruitment decisions should not be based on psychological test results alone."

The process should also include interviewing and reference checking, he said.

While psychometric tests are gaining acceptance, particularly among younger workers who were required to sit them as part of graduate recruitment programs, there is still some resistance in the workplace.

Paul Sinnott, 27, a financial analyst, has worked for five big financial institutions. Three employers made him sit psychological tests; the other two relied on a series of interviews.

But, he said, both methods told employers only part of the story.

"The best tool for employers and employees is the three-month probation period. Doing the job is the only true indication of whether a person is suited to [it]."